Safe backcountry travel requires training and experience. You control your own risk by choosing where, when and how you travel.

The Bottom Line

Today the avalanche danger is MODERATE for all elevations above 1000’. Natural glide avalanches and human triggered wet loose avalanches are possible on steep slopes below 3500'. Avoid being on large steep slopes where a wet loose avalanche has the potential to pick up enough volume to be dangerous. Identify slopes with recent glide activity and avoid travel in these areas. Wind slabs 1-2' are also worth noting on leeward slopes above 4000’.

Primary Concern

“The phrase rinse and repeat is being uttered to describe this very persistent pattern” as stated in the Southcentral NOAA forecast discussion yesterday. Rain will remain the theme for today, but that shouldn’t be an excuse. Keep those chins up, winter does exist at higher elevations. Put on your best Gortex, bring an extra pair of gloves, and throw some dry clothes in the car. You might even get lucky - yesterday a short break in the weather made for some fun wet pow turns above 2500’ and corn skiing down low.

View of Center Ridge and North side of Sunburst taken from Tincan on Jan.13, 2015. Average depth at 2500' was 3.5'.

Glide Avalanches

Glide avalanches remain the primary concern in steep terrain below 3000’. Over the last three days many glide avalanches have released on the Eastern face of Seattle Ridge, and others have been observed on Eddies and Cornbiscuit. Glide avalanches occur when the snowpack as a unit slowly moves over the bed surface below. Water lubricating the slick bed surface can speed up this process, but glides are also known to release when temperatures are cooler. A glide often begins with a large crack in the snow, but it is possible for a glide to release without a crack preceding it - especially on features where the terrain does not support it from below. Be cautious, avoid slopes with any recent glide activity, and don’t put yourself under an open crack.

New snow covering a recent glide observed on the Southwest side of Cornbiscuit, mid elevation. Photo by Tim Glassett

Secondary Concern

Over the last two days 3-6” of wet snow fell on a firm crust between 2500’ to 3500’. Today another .86 inches of rain is expected with rain/snow line around 3000’ making human triggered wet loose avalanches possible on steep terrain. Wet loose avalanches usually take a little force to get them moving, but quickly pick up volume as they move downhill. This will be a hazard on large sustained steep slopes between 2500’ - 3500’. Keep an eye out for recent snowballing, an obvious sign of wet saturated new snow. (See photo below)

At lower elevations rain has been draining through the snowpack making the snow wet and poorly bonded. Below 2500’ human triggered wet loose avalanches are possible. Again avoid sustained steep slopes or terrain traps, like a steep drainage.

*Below 2000' it is our recommendation to stick to areas that have been compacted by other skiers, like the up-track at Tincan, where snow conditions are more supportable and favorable for sking/riding.

Wet snowballs rolling down the Southwest aspect of Pete's North as observed from the road on Jan.13, 2015

Additional Concern

At elevations above 4000’ snow accumulation of up to 1-2’ is possible. Sustained Eastern winds 20-40mph will continue throughout the day along with more snow at this elevation band. Human triggered wind slabs of up to 2’ thick will be possible today on leeward slopes above 4000’.

Mountain Weather

Above freezing temperatures, high winds and rain have been the theme over the past week and this persistent weather pattern will continue into the coming days.

Over the last 24 hours heavy rain became light in the morning and Turnagain Pass only received 0.2 inches of water compared to Girdwood at 0.85 inches. Winds were mostly East 20-25mph with ridgetop temps around 30F. Rain/snow line was between 2500’ and 3000’.

Today temps will remain warm with rain/snow line around 3000’. Strong East winds will continue (25-40mph) and rain will increase in intensity early this afternoon with 0.86 inches of water expected throughout the day.

More rain is likely overnight, 1.38 inches is forecasted to fall at higher elevations in Girdwood and Turnagain Pass. Winds will remain strong into the evening and rain/snow line may drop slightly to 2500’.

PRECIPITATION 24-hour data (6am - 6am)

Temp Avg (F)

Snow (in)

Water (in)

Snow Depth (in)

Center Ridge (1880')

37

0

.2

29

Summit Lake (1400')

38

0

.15

5

Alyeska Mid (1700')

36

0

.85

21

RIDGETOP 24-hour data (6am - 6am)

Temp Avg (F)

Wind Dir

Wind Avg (mph)

Wind Gust (mph)

Sunburst (3812')

29

E

25

54

Seattle Ridge(2400')

31

ENE

20

49

This is a general backcountry avalanche advisory issued for Turnagain Arm with Turnagain Pass as the core advisory area (this advisory does not apply to highways, railroads, or operating ski areas).

Riding status is not associated with avalanche danger. An area will be open to motorized use in accordance to the Forest Management Plan when snow coverage is adequate to protect underlying vegetation. Backcountry hazards including avalanche hazard are always present regardless of the open status of motorized use areas.

(Updated: May 16, 2017 )

AREA

STATUS

WEATHER AND RIDING CONDITIONS

Glacier District

Johnson Pass:

Closed

Placer River:

Closed

Skookum Drainage:

Closed

Turnagain Pass:

Closed

Thanks all for a safe and fun season on the Chugach NF! Stay tuned for the 2017/18 season. #playsafe #snowtosealevel

Twentymile:

Closed

Seward District

Carter Lake:

Closed

Lost Lake Trail:

Closed

Primrose Trail:

Closed

Resurrection Pass Trail:

Closed

Resurrection Pass trail will be open to snowmachine use during the 2017/18 winter season.

Snug Harbor:

Closed

South Fork Snow River Corridor:

Closed

Summit Lake:

Closed

Subscribe to the Turnagain Area Avalanche Advisory:

The information in this advisory is from the U.S. Forest Service, which is solely responsible for its content. This advisory describes general avalanche conditions and local variations always occur.
This advisory provided by the Chugach National Forest, in partnership with Friends of the Chugach National Forest Avalanche Information Center.